Nozomi seat classes/quality

Elreyalto

over 5 years ago

13 responses

I'm looking into taking a Nozomi train from Tokyo to Osaka and wondering how the seats are in the different classes. I've read conflicting reports on the quality between the classes. I'm very tall - 2.02 metres - so curious if I would even fit in the regular class or if I would have no choice but to get a green class seat.

ee930727

7 posts

0 likes

over 5 years ago

If you plan to ride bullet train(＝shinkansen=新幹線), you can't ride Nozomi by Japan Rail Pass.

The Nozomi trains are basically the same as Hikari trains, the only difference is that Hikari trains make a couple more stops on the way.

I am quite tall myself and never had a problem in ordinary class but the extra space in Green Class is very nice. The real reason to consider going green is that a lot less people travel green givings you a much more relaxed journey.

It relates to my other question about doing individual tickets vs. a JR green pass. If I do a Nozomi green, it's about $100 USD more doing individual tickets. If I do Nozomi regular but green for everything else, it's about the same as a JR green pass.

I get into Narita from Los Angeles around 4PM. I assume it will take a couple of hours to get through customs so I was looking at 6PM departure from Narita on Hyperdia. I would need a green ticket for Osaka-Kyoto and then Kyoto to Shinjuki-JR as then I will be traveling with a friend who will have a JR green pass.

I guess that both options would work. Note that the last train connection possible with the JR Pass (Narita Express + Hikari) departs Narita around 18:45 and there are still a couple Nozomies after that, so going for a Nozomi train may be a safer option in case of plane delays or if customs decides to have you in for a chat.

Then again going for a 7 day JR Green Pass for a Green return is also nice.

PS for Osaka - Kyoto I would recommend just using the Shinkaisoku also known as JR Special Service, it runs quickly and directly between Osaka and Kyoto in 29 minutes and only 540yen, while you'd first have to travel to Shin-Osaka for the Shinkansen and travel from there to Kyoto.

Weekends are always more busy on the Shinkansen then say a normal working day. People use them to travel around the country instead of commuting and I would not be surprised to see a relatively full train on a Saturday evening.